Astle's feats recorded in outstanding fashion

Nathan Astle - Kiwi Master Blaster. DVD - Produced by Sky Television NZ. Distributed by NZ Video Tours.

What better way to remember one of the great feats of New Zealand cricket than by combining the brilliance of Nathan Astle's stroke play with the power of modern technology?

Crystal-clear footage, backed by superb sound, elevates this form of sports memory into the 21st century on the specially packaged DVD, Nathan Astle - Kiwi Master Blaster.

The most dominating memory provided by this DVD is the sound of leather against willow and, on the portable pitches which represent their own form of technological advance, the moment of impact of Astle's flashing blade is the dominant sound.

Astle's feat will live long in the memory of all those privileged to see it, and by virtue of the proximity this form of recording allows the viewer, it is now possible for those who weren't there to revel in the sound quality and feel just what it was like, with the added benefit of the SKY commentary team.

The world record double century that Astle achieved at Jade Stadium in the first Test against England is well enshrined in New Zealand cricket history as a stunning and spectacular achievement, only denied absolute greatness by the fact that it was done, for all intents and purposes, as part of a lost cause.

That does not detract from what Astle did. His was a stunning effort among several that the modern generation of international cricketers have achieved.

While the great team of the 1980s had their successes woven around Richard Hadlee and his bowling feats, different members of Stephen Fleming's side have stepped up and made their own contributions to the ever-developing record of this side.

Chris Cairns' century in the ICC KnockOut final in Kenya was one, Fleming's century in the first Test victory in the West Indies was another. That's not to forget Craig McMillan's batting to set up the victory chance against Pakistan last year, the innings in which he achieved a world record for runs off one over.

There are any number of other examples involving players like Mark Richardson, Mathew Sinclair, Shane Bond, Lou Vincent and, latterly, relative newcomers like Scott Styris and Robbie Hart.

But Astle's consistency over last summer was one of the genuine highpoints, building on his outstanding century at Perth in the third Test against Australia and continuing through to his last day bowling effort in the third Test victory over England.

His innings at Christchurch in the first Test is the centre point of this DVD, and it does recapture perfectly the way in which the momentum built during his innings, interspersed with the television documentary he did with Gavin Larsen after the event.

But adding lustre to this collectors' edition DVD is the coverage of the third Test, Astle's hitting in the second innings when he paired firstly with Chris Harris and then McMillan, to set up New Zealand's defendable total.

There is also coverage of the three One-Day Internationals won by New Zealand, at Christchurch, where Astle was unbeaten in New Zealand's successful chase, the second match at Wellington where England were humbled and the all-important final match which Astle's unbeaten century helped see New Zealand take out the series 3-2.

It is not all Astle either. There are other reminders of performances that tended to get lost in the lustre of Astle's feats.

There was Richardson's batting both in Christchurch and Auckland. McMillan too in the last ODI and the third Test. Darry Tuffey's bowling in Auckland was another feature.

And there is a reminder too, of just what the English had to offer with good coverage of Graham Thorpe's double century and Andrew Flintoff's maiden Test century at Christchurch.

In fact, the quality of Nasser Hussain's batting throughout the series is another feature of the DVD.

In a sporting year which has seen the Tall Blacks captivate the nation with their basketball heroics at the World Championships, the All Blacks regain the Tri Nations Trophy, the Commonwealth Games successes and Craig Perks' golfing success in the US, Astle's feats rank right up there, and they are permanently available to be recalled at the flick of a button.

This is an outstanding tribute to a never-to-be forgotten moment in New Zealand's contribution to cricket history.